RCMP seize documents in MLA expense investigation

Nova Scotia RCMP executed a search warrant on the offices of the Speaker of the Legislature this summer for information relating to the MLA expense scandal, CBC News has learned.

"We've had the RCMP come in with a warrant to get some files on particular members they needed to look further at," House Speaker Charlie Parker said Tuesday.

He said RCMP asked for files on six MLAs inlate July,includingfive former members and one sitting member of the legislature.

Parker said the RCMP have told him their investigation into MLA expenses is winding down.

"They've told me this fall, sometime, there will be a report coming back, they're going to recommend charges or not," he said.

"It's entirely within their bailiwick but I know they're working on this as quickly as they can."

Provincial Auditor General Jacques Lapointe created a storm of controversy in February after he revealed that several MLAs had filed what he called "excessive and unreasonable" claims.

Some of those claims included custom-made furniture, televisions, a coffee machine and generators.

After conducting his own forensic audit, Lapointe's office referred the case files to the commercial crimes division of the RCMP. The section looks at major fraud cases.

RCMP have provided little details of the investigation, except to say that it will be complex and time-consuming because of the number of witnesses to interview and the volume of documents.